And Yet Still I Rise….https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com
My journey to answer the callThu, 22 Feb 2018 06:35:00 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngAnd Yet Still I Rise….https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com
Yep….I See You Jesus #6https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/yep-i-see-you-jesus-6/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/yep-i-see-you-jesus-6/#respondTue, 13 Jun 2017 14:34:49 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1245Written in support of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:

GOD’s glory is so overwhelming, we can sense Him all around us– if we just take time to perceive it. Welcome back to the 6th installment of ” Yep…I See You Jesus.” May your senses be more attuned to His presence day by day.

She looked vaguely familiar, but on further probing, we discovered we hadn’t met before. As she prepared to leave my office, her hand on the doorknob, she casually mentioned she was looking forward to going to Atlantic City for a few days with friends. Me wishing her a good time seemed like a welcomed opportunity to vent her feelings and share her story.

You see this beautiful gracious woman was one of a few siblings. Let’s call her Ms. Betty as an anonymous name. Yet she is the primary caretaker of a sister with Alzheimer’s disease – we’ll call her Ms. Lou. Alzheimer’s is a disease that mostly affects the brain and leads primarily to problems with memory, judgement and other high functioning intellectual activities. To have a loved one with this terrible disease is to witness them slowly slipping from your grasp on a steady decline right before your eyes.

With the family not recognizing the early stages of the disease, they mistakenly took her offensive and aggresive behavior as personal insults. Consequently, harboring fresh wounds from her uncontrollable tirades in times long passed, children and grandchildren had largely abandoned her. Furthermore, Ms. Lou had a boyfriend who endeavored to stand by her side, but in the end the devastation of her condition proved to be too much for him. Ms. Lou even has a twin sister– surely the genetic and spiritual bond that twins share would draw her almost identical counterpart to never forsake her. But riddled with fear that Ms. Lou’s fate would be her own, Ms. Lou’s condition pains her twin to see her.

Which leaves my patient Ms. Betty– who does everything for her sister short of living with her. Whether it’s cooking, overseeing her medical care, simply being present or a listening ear, Ms. Betty is her sister’s light in a very dark and devastating world, despite having her own marriage, children and grandchildren. In her times of mental clarity Ms. Lou questions her sister about her family. An innocent victim of Alzheimer’s, she doesn’t comprehend how she has hurt them. But on good days she laughs, jokes, wonders about her past and seems like her old self.

Despite it all, she knows her sister is her rock. Her constant grateful utterance “I don’t know what I would do without you” tells us that Ms. Betty’s love for her sister has transcended the walls of this disease. Sometimes it’s not enough to just act like Jesus. For some we must literally become like Jesus in someone’s life– bringing His presence, love, joy and hope.

Well done Ms. Betty– yep I see you Jesus.

]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/yep-i-see-you-jesus-6/feed/0stillirise323I See You Jesus #5https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/i-see-you-jesus-5/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/i-see-you-jesus-5/#commentsThu, 23 Feb 2017 13:48:36 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1243The mark of God is imprinted all around us, if we would just take time to notice. Here is installment #5 of “I see you Jesus.”

As I stepped out of my car, nearly tumbling into a helpless heap on a slick layer of ice and snow in my apartment complex, I couldn’t help but think how much I hated cold weather and wonder for the hundredth time why I was still in New York City. Oh snow! How I’ve had such a tumultuous perspective on this force of nature! It amazes me how much I love it from the comfort of my own bed when not forced to travel in it; or how beautiful it is when it falls in its natural glistening white color; or how fun it can be when frolicking in it for play. But my how quickly my mind shifts when having to navigate snow in my travels to work or anywhere else! Or even worse, when the gleaming white color is replaced by a blanket of urban dirt and filth. Yet as I walked gingerly down the path to my apartment, I am almost sure God put these thoughts in my head as a reminder that once again His mind is so much beyond what we can comprehend. Snow is just another way to water the earth in the cold season. Imagine! No water from snow, no fertile soil. No fertile soil, no foundation for plants and trees to grow. No plants or trees, no oxygen to breath. No oxygen, no possibility of life for most living beings….most noticeably human beings. Furthermore, what helps to fill our world’s rivers and streams throughout many continents? Look at the variety of wildlife, vital to the ecosystem that are designed to live and thrive in snow? All of these important functions and this was just my surface understanding.

So even in something as mundane and challenging as snow, God’s wisdom, grandeur and complexity are on display. And who but God could intentionally design something so vital and still install the added benefit of providing a means for fun?! Skiing or snow-tubing anyone? Yep….I see you Jesus

]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/i-see-you-jesus-5/feed/2stillirise323I See You Jesus #4https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/17/i-see-you-jesus-4/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/17/i-see-you-jesus-4/#respondFri, 17 Feb 2017 18:08:51 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1229The glory of God is all around us if we would just take time to perceive it. I hope to share with you when time allows how I see God’s beauty, love and glory shining in my life and the life of others even in the most seemingly ordinary ways. Here we go…

A time of silence, solitude and sitting before God was in order. So I booked a quick solo island getaway to do just that. Excited for the warmth and serene environment, I headed straight to the beach shortly after checking in. Passing the tour desk I quickly glimpsed a couple talking to the tour agent. I honestly thought to myself: “that’s an odd couple” and continued on.

She was at least a foot taller than him…. and mind you that was in flats. She was black, while with him being olive skinned it was hard to tell his origins. With her height and solid build she seemed to overpower him. Seeing them a few times over my stay I wondered what things they shared in common, what other non apparent differences lie between them and what was the story behind their love?

On my final night at dinner they happen to be seated next to my table. In my curiosity I peaked over a few times. The connection, chemistry and camaderie between them was undeniable.
In the end after seeing their apparent happiness throughout the weekend, their differences didn’t matter. His obvious reservedness was a compliment to her more outgoing nature and for now they just seem to “fit.” The other couple I saw on my last day before leaving paradise— the 4 foot little person with his 5 foot 8 partner– served to reiterate the point.

God has made us in our own unique beauty, but in His love for all of us we should all fit together in love for one another. Whether that love is romantic, familial, neighborly or just as fellow human beings, let us all live connected together despite our differences…. in the adhesive of LOVE… yep I see you Jesus.

]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/17/i-see-you-jesus-4/feed/0stillirise323I See You Jesus #3https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/i-see-you-jesus-3/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/i-see-you-jesus-3/#respondMon, 06 Feb 2017 16:29:57 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1227Some of the best advice I’ve heard on several occasions is to intentionally try to meet God daily. In other words we must become attuned to where He is active, present and very much at work in our lives and the world around us despite the negativity that threatens to overshadow His glory and bring discouragement on our respective journeys.
Hence in my attempt to adhere to that wisdom and keep my eye on Jesus, I would love to share with you (whenever time allows, I’m not too lazy to write and for as long as I feel I should do it lol) an example of where I see God daily, especially through my encounters with people and in the lives of others.
So here we are at entry #3.

We started out as ordinary coworkers—she was my medical assistant to be exact. She is an immigrant from Bangledesh while I am an immigrant from Jamaica. She is a devout Muslim, while I am a devout Christian. Between us there is about a 7 year age difference—no need to venture into the specific numbers. Yet despite our differences in just a few short years she has become a dear friend. It was one day at work that I broke down in tears and shared with her some heavy burdens I had been carrying in my personal life. Sure I had plenty of people to talk to and as a matter of fact I had confided in some close to me. But that particular day it was too much. That day, my Muslim friend from Bangladesh in the middle of a slow work day was a safe haven where I could be real, raw and vulnerable. She provided a space where I could bare my soul and receive the truth, comfort and gentle love I needed at that moment. Two people from very different worlds, yet God used her to minister to me about FAITH in a way that few people ever have– Christian or otherwise.

It’s easy to expect support from the likely staples in your life in the form of family and longtime friends. But only God can use the most unexpected circumstances and unlikely people to reach you just where you are when you need Him most. The light of Jesus shone through my new confidante that day despite our seemingly vast differences….yep I see you Jesus.

Side note: Thank you sis Sharon D. Highland for holding me accountable to keep posting after getting lax during the holiday. Lol. I so appreciate you. Iron sharpens iron. Blessings to you

]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/i-see-you-jesus-3/feed/0stillirise323I See You Jesus #2https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/i-see-you-jesus-2/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/i-see-you-jesus-2/#respondTue, 31 Jan 2017 23:38:06 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1223Some of the best advice I’ve heard on many occasions is to intentionally try to meet God daily. In other words we must become attuned to where He is active, present and very much at work in our lives and the world around us despite the negativity that threatens to overshadow His glory and bring discouragement on our respective journeys.

Hence in my attempt to adhere to that wisdom and keep my eye on Jesus, I would love to share with you (whenever time allows, I’m not too lazy to write and for as long as I feel I should do it lol) an example of where I see God daily, especially through my encounters with people and in the lives of others.
So here we are at entry #2. This particular encounter took place at work where a fellow associate in another department tends to eat poorly and sometimes neglect his health issues. It’s not uncommon for us to lovingly scold him in regards to his poor management of his health.

On this particular day in his absence, a superior comes to me and says that the employee looked pretty sick earlier in the week and he was very concerned. With passion and intensity came the plea: “You gotta talk to him doc. I’m really worried about him.” The look on this man’s face and the concern in his voice was one like a father who is concerned for his son.
I don’t know about you but how many bosses would seize the opportunity to talk to a medical professional for the benefit of the employee simply because they care so deeply? Wouldn’t our work environments be more efficient and productive if it were filled with such love, selflessness and positive energy across the board?
The love of God is definitely in that relationship…yep I see you Jesus.

A few times I have heard the wise advise that we should intentionally try to meet God daily. In other words become attuned to where He is active, present, very much at work in our lives and the world around us despite the negativity that threatens to overshadow His glory and bring discouragement on our respective journeys. So in my attempt to adhere to that wisdom and keep my eye on Jesus, I would love to share with you (whenever time allows, I’m not too …lazy to write and for as long as I feel I should do it lol) an example of where I see God daily. Although God does such amazing things in our lives that it is so easy and don’t get me wrong appropriate to share our own testimonies, I hope to share more so about what I see God doing in and through the lives of others, even strangers. Or especially in the ways God meets me through random people. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS I AM SURE IT WILL ENCOURAGE US ALL!

So for my first entry of “I see you Jesus…” I want to share what happened this morning on my subway ride to the city. With the cold bleak weather, squeezed in with the throngs of people bustling to work on the dreaded F line, I was less than pleased to have to head out today. Yet sitting right in front of me, my irritation peaked at having to stand for the 40 minute ride, was the most beautiful display of father and daughter love to behold. Right in front of my eyes I could see a young Hispanic man, probably no older than 23 years old, shower his little 2 yr old princess with love. He gazed at her lovingly as she slept, nuzzled her while she giggled with delight, held her protectively from the crowd and the jostling of the train and handled her like she was the most beautiful treasure. In a Western world where increasingly men are absent from the family and especially men of certain minority ethnic groups get such a bad label, it was so nice to see this young man prove the stereotypes wrong and just love and treasure his little girl. I’m sure life is not perfect for this family as we all have our challenges, but several of us smiled as we watched their exchange the whole ride.

Low and behold, I went to work with a better attitude and a smile on my face. Clearly, I saw God on that train this morning.

If you don’t get it yet, GOD IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE LOVE. His beauty is everywhere if we just take the time to perceive it. Yep, I see you Jesus…

The way I sleep with my eyes half open, sometimes snoring if I’m really tired– He loves that. The way I suck my tongue ( ask Caribbean people what this means) and squeeze my pillow– He adores it. That fiery side– yep He loves that spice. My funny looking second long toe– He thinks its adorable. My singing off key in the shower– melts His heart. The way I come to Him after avoiding Him– arms are always still open. Nappy or natural, dressed up or dressed down, overweight or slim, toned or flabby, smelling stinky or sweet, on my A game or a hot mess, walking righteous or straying off course, getting it right or when I’m way off the mark– God loves me, Jesus adores me, the Holy Ghost embraces me. And they love you too. Just as you are, right where you are. It’s a love beyond comprehension that we often forget, never truly embrace and fail to understand. It is that love that when I contemplate the reality of it, let go and receive it and allow myself to be washed in it, that love comforts, motivates and lifts me. And I sincerely pray that you, that I, that we will all be free, refreshed, healed, complete and empowered in His love.

Love lifted me…and yet still I rise

With peace and blessings may you continue to rise always

Stillirise323

]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/07/26/love-lifted-me/feed/0stillirise323Awareness for Autism–blog sharehttps://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/awareness-for-autism-blog-share/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/awareness-for-autism-blog-share/#respondThu, 30 Jun 2016 17:17:30 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1209Happy Thursday everyone! Alzheimer’s Awareness month is winding down. But you can still be alert and help fight Alzheimer’s year round. Check out the 2 newest posts sharing facts about Alzheimer’s on my health blog “When You Consider Your Body God’s Temple” at www.asalivingsacrifice.wordpress.com. Please feel free to comment or share with others. Hope it blesses you in some way! Have a greatly blessed day!
]]>https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/awareness-for-autism-blog-share/feed/0stillirise323Enlightentment in Exercisehttps://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/enlightentment-in-exercise/
https://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/enlightentment-in-exercise/#commentsTue, 28 Jun 2016 08:27:45 +0000http://andyetstillirise.wordpress.com/?p=1088

What is it about exercise that causes such an aversion to it for so many people? I must admit, I shamefully count myself in that number. I mean I personally know the countless benefits to physical activity; I beg, scold and preach it to my own patients all the time. Yet at the end of the day I can’t say I consistently practice what I preach. Without fail at least 2 or 3 times a year I give myself the motivational and mental pep talk to begin and maintain a regular exercise regimen only to fizzle and die out 1-2 weeks.

What is it that makes some run the other way at the mention of doing a jumping jack or sit up? Is it fear? Is it the time commitment? Is it the cost or effort? Those things may factor in, but the truth of the matter is that exercise can be challenging and just outright painful. As you move, stretch, arouse and agitate those muscles into becoming more active, inevitably aches, soreness and pain creeps in. As the muscles experience increasing intensity, speed and pressure, what is known as microtrauma to the muscle fibers occur and soreness comes uninvited. Yet despite the initial discomfort, look at all the benefits to exercise that have been well documented. Exercise allows weight control, promotes good heart, lung and mental health, healthy skin, more youthful appearance, increased energy, improvement in general well-being, etc., etc., etc.–the list goes on.
It is quite apparent the benefits of movement far exceed the strain and effort we exert to do it.
In the same way, life inevitably brings trials, difficulties and burdens at different intensities without warning.

Yet God uses these experiences to help us grow in spiritual maturity, develop intimacy with Him, increase our trust and faith and transform us into the best person He has designed us to be. The Bible says that the light affliction we experience now momentarily, is
producing for us a more exceeding and external weight in glory (2 Corinthians4:17). In other words from the perspective and vastness of eternity, the momentary struggles that plague this life are fleeting.

Notice the words exceeding and eternal. Just as the benefits of physical exercise far outweigh the temporary discomfort of the physical challenge, the benefits of experiencing life and beyond with Jesus Christ far outweigh the difficulties we face if we choose to serve and partner with him. Every opportunity brings the potential for growth.

Furthermore, warming up before exercise has been shown to decrease muscle trauma. In the same way when we practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, daily reading and study of the Bible, meditating on God’s word and on the things of God, service to others and walking in humility, it builds our character. We live a more fulfilling life with great purpose, with our spiritual muscles “warmed up” in faith, trust and assurance to better sustain the traumas of life.

Now I’m not denying that life is hard. I’m not guaranteeing that in living you won’t experience pain and trouble.
But as you fortify your spirit and stay connected to Jesus Christ, he will sustain you and carry you through. The benefits of exercise are temporary in that despite our best efforts the body will age and breakdown. Yet when you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, although the body may pass on, we believe in faith we will have the eternal benefit of having eternal life in heaven with our eternalGod. There is no greater benefit than relationship and life with Jesus Christ.

So my friends physical exercise undeniably brings physical transformation. But being active with and for the Lord brings the best transformation of all– the beauty of looking, acting and being like him; a vessel of love and light that brings hope and healing to a dark world.

Ordinary life has a way of teaching us extraordinary lessons.

#Life lessons are lessons for life
#Life metaphors are metaphors for life

June is Alzheimer’s awareness month and with 1 out of 9 people age 65 or older being affected by the disease, this is an issue that has touched most of us by way of family, friends, loved ones, coworkers, public figures, celebrities or associates in one way or another. Learn the facts and provide your support to help in finding a cure for this devastating disease. God Bless!